I usually love this comic, but today’s made me pause. It’s important to remember how much the quality of care can vary from one place to another. My wife’s grandfather spent his last year in assisted living, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only was he among peers, but they provided a level of care that no family member could possibly have matched. Numerous residents placed themselves there and never regretted it. Family members were constantly coming in and out, and many felt that they could visit more often than before because it was so convenient for their parents/grandparents to entertain guests there. Granted, a place like this is expensive, and we were lucky to be able to afford it. But portraying the image of the stereotypical old folks home (The Simpsons’ Springfield Retirement Castle comes to mind) only tells part of the story. The one pictured above appears well maintained and classy, and at that level abandonment is far from the norm.
I usually love this comic, but today’s made me pause. It’s important to remember how much the quality of care can vary from one place to another. My wife’s grandfather spent his last year in assisted living, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only was he among peers, but they provided a level of care that no family member could possibly have matched. Numerous residents placed themselves there and never regretted it. Family members were constantly coming in and out, and many felt that they could visit more often than before because it was so convenient for their parents/grandparents to entertain guests there. Granted, a place like this is expensive, and we were lucky to be able to afford it. But portraying the image of the stereotypical old folks home (The Simpsons’ Springfield Retirement Castle comes to mind) only tells part of the story. The one pictured above appears well maintained and classy, and at that level abandonment is far from the norm.